The USGBC (US Green Building Council) is an organization that is attempting to further the agenda of sustainability though construction. A non-profit group composed of over 15,000 smaller organizations, the USGBC is attempting to create a system where buildings are built as environmentally conscious as possible while still allowing them to function. This process extends from the materials that physically compose the structures to the infrastructure and community that surround it. One of their major accomplishments has been the LEED certification system that guides people in how to construct environmentally sustainable structures and rewards them with many degrees of certification.
LEED, which was first implemented in 1998, was designed to push the environmental agenda by creating a system that rates the construction and operation of buildings as to what effect it has on the environment. These ratings would be used to bestow qualifying structures with one of four different levels of certification so they could be honored and possibly rewarded for their efforts. There are different categories for certification, such as a new constructions, existing structures, entire communities, and even special cases such as K-12 school systems.
The process of applying for LEED certification is now an electronic application that can be completed at their website. The certification can be done before the project is underway and the certification can help with starting the project. Certain states such as Nevada, as well as specific local governments across the country have passed legislation such that certified projects can get rewarded for their efforts to minimize environmental impact. Such perks include reduced taxes on the raw materials needed to construct the structure, faster permitting, or a density bonus. Services such as hotels can also attain certification in order to attempt to generate increased business by people that wish to lodge more environmentally. There is also a certain amount of press value gained by being honored certain media including the LEED website itself.
While there are certain requirements that are important enough to be required for certification, such as maintaining a minimum energy performance, the majority of the certification is modular. The evaluation process is a checklist, with each criterion worth a specific number of points. There are four thresholds, and receiving enough points to pass it rewards you with another level of certification. In the new construction category, the number of points needed to secure certification is 26, yet silver, gold, and platinum certification is graded upon reaching 33, 39, and 52 points respectively. The total number of points is 69, consisting of 64 primary points and up to a possible 5 points for extra innovation above and beyond the core criteria. Other categories, such as residential homes or existing structures, follow a slightly different rule set.
Categories of the LEED New Construction Rating System:
Sustainable sites: (14 total points)
This category focuses on building in places that are least harmful to the environment, specifically in cities, or downtown areas, places with access to public transportation, and bike and pedestrian availability. It aims to minimize environmental impact of buildings by keeping construction services as close to the main structure as possible such that surrounding ecosystems are unharmed. Also contains points for minimizing light pollution, heat differences, and storm-water runoff.
Water efficiency: (5 total points)
The goal of the water efficiency points is to reduce harm to the natural water near the structure, eliminating it from use for irrigation. It also looks to reduce the amount of wastewater created through the structure. Points are also awarded for using toilets and sinks which use minimal water.
Energy and Atmosphere: (17 total points)
Reducing energy usage is one of the most important ways to become less environmentally harmful, and as such up to 10 points can be awarded for reducing energy consumption up to 42% from baseline values making this section the largest single source of points in the scorecard. Other points are added for CFC elimination from refrigeration units, and use of on site renewable energy, such as solar panels or a geothermal heat pump.
Materials and Resources: (13 total points)
Using already built structures to reduce material cost, using recycled materials, using local materials, and using certified wood all yield points to keep the materials cost of the structure to a minimum. Other points in this section come from establishing a recycling center on site to deal with easily recyclable materials and reducing the waste associated with construction.
Indoor Environment Quality: (15 total points)
Keeping the air quality at a reasonable level at all stages from construction to final use are a source of points. This also suggests using flooring, paints, and other materials that do no emit harmful air born particles. Containing any on-site hazardous chemicals or pollutants is also on the checklist. Keeping natural lighting and heat to comfortable levels also yields points.
Innovation: (5 possible points)
Bonus points can be given upon request for additional sources of positive environmental impact that are not otherwise covered in the scorecard. Up to 5 points can be assigned depending on the degree to which these requests are permitted as valid.
The major deterrent to making all buildings fit the criteria of LEED certification is upfront cost. Many who are in the process of constructing a building may steer away from the criteria needed to achieve certification due to the increased expenses that are needed to finance those improvements. According to the Green Building Finance Consortium the average increase in cost needed to acquire the first level of certification is only 0.8%. Simelarly, the average increase for Silver is 3.5%, 4.5% for gold, and 11.5% for platinum.2
Examples of LEED certification in use:
In 2004 the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed an order to make the state go greener. Part of the order dealt with forcing all new construction for state buildings over 10,000 square feet to acquire a LEED certification of at least Silver.1
LEED Certification
The USGBC (US Green Building Council) is an organization that is attempting to further the agenda of sustainability though construction. A non-profit group composed of over 15,000 smaller organizations, the USGBC is attempting to create a system where buildings are built as environmentally conscious as possible while still allowing them to function. This process extends from the materials that physically compose the structures to the infrastructure and community that surround it. One of their major accomplishments has been the LEED certification system that guides people in how to construct environmentally sustainable structures and rewards them with many degrees of certification.
LEED, which was first implemented in 1998, was designed to push the environmental agenda by creating a system that rates the construction and operation of buildings as to what effect it has on the environment. These ratings would be used to bestow qualifying structures with one of four different levels of certification so they could be honored and possibly rewarded for their efforts. There are different categories for certification, such as a new constructions, existing structures, entire communities, and even special cases such as K-12 school systems.
The process of applying for LEED certification is now an electronic application that can be completed at their website. The certification can be done before the project is underway and the certification can help with starting the project. Certain states such as Nevada, as well as specific local governments across the country have passed legislation such that certified projects can get rewarded for their efforts to minimize environmental impact. Such perks include reduced taxes on the raw materials needed to construct the structure, faster permitting, or a density bonus. Services such as hotels can also attain certification in order to attempt to generate increased business by people that wish to lodge more environmentally. There is also a certain amount of press value gained by being honored certain media including the LEED website itself.
While there are certain requirements that are important enough to be required for certification, such as maintaining a minimum energy performance, the majority of the certification is modular. The evaluation process is a checklist, with each criterion worth a specific number of points. There are four thresholds, and receiving enough points to pass it rewards you with another level of certification. In the new construction category, the number of points needed to secure certification is 26, yet silver, gold, and platinum certification is graded upon reaching 33, 39, and 52 points respectively. The total number of points is 69, consisting of 64 primary points and up to a possible 5 points for extra innovation above and beyond the core criteria. Other categories, such as residential homes or existing structures, follow a slightly different rule set.
Categories of the LEED New Construction Rating System:
Sustainable sites: (14 total points)
This category focuses on building in places that are least harmful to the environment, specifically in cities, or downtown areas, places with access to public transportation, and bike and pedestrian availability. It aims to minimize environmental impact of buildings by keeping construction services as close to the main structure as possible such that surrounding ecosystems are unharmed. Also contains points for minimizing light pollution, heat differences, and storm-water runoff.
Water efficiency: (5 total points)
The goal of the water efficiency points is to reduce harm to the natural water near the structure, eliminating it from use for irrigation. It also looks to reduce the amount of wastewater created through the structure. Points are also awarded for using toilets and sinks which use minimal water.
Energy and Atmosphere: (17 total points)
Reducing energy usage is one of the most important ways to become less environmentally harmful, and as such up to 10 points can be awarded for reducing energy consumption up to 42% from baseline values making this section the largest single source of points in the scorecard. Other points are added for CFC elimination from refrigeration units, and use of on site renewable energy, such as solar panels or a geothermal heat pump.
Materials and Resources: (13 total points)
Using already built structures to reduce material cost, using recycled materials, using local materials, and using certified wood all yield points to keep the materials cost of the structure to a minimum. Other points in this section come from establishing a recycling center on site to deal with easily recyclable materials and reducing the waste associated with construction.
Indoor Environment Quality: (15 total points)
Keeping the air quality at a reasonable level at all stages from construction to final use are a source of points. This also suggests using flooring, paints, and other materials that do no emit harmful air born particles. Containing any on-site hazardous chemicals or pollutants is also on the checklist. Keeping natural lighting and heat to comfortable levels also yields points.
Innovation: (5 possible points)
Bonus points can be given upon request for additional sources of positive environmental impact that are not otherwise covered in the scorecard. Up to 5 points can be assigned depending on the degree to which these requests are permitted as valid.
Link to full scorecard
Costs and Rewards:
The major deterrent to making all buildings fit the criteria of LEED certification is upfront cost. Many who are in the process of constructing a building may steer away from the criteria needed to achieve certification due to the increased expenses that are needed to finance those improvements. According to the Green Building Finance Consortium the average increase in cost needed to acquire the first level of certification is only 0.8%. Simelarly, the average increase for Silver is 3.5%, 4.5% for gold, and 11.5% for platinum.2
Examples of LEED certification in use:
In 2004 the Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, signed an order to make the state go greener. Part of the order dealt with forcing all new construction for state buildings over 10,000 square feet to acquire a LEED certification of at least Silver.1
1: http://www.green.ca.gov/GreenBuildings/leedcertbldgs.htm
2: http://www.nuwireinvestor.com/articles/leed-program-leads-to-potential-profits-51367.aspx